Scotland and Wales planning bid to host Euro 2020… with help from Republic of Ireland

Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have formally declared an interest in hosting Euro 2020. A source close to Uefa has confirmed that a written expression of interest has been submitted by the countries to host the European Championships on a three-way basis.

So far Turkey are the only other nation to inform Uefa that they want to want host the tournament. The European governing body has a deadline of midnight on Tuesday night for any other declarations of interest.

Bidders would need to put forward up to 10 stadiums to host matches in the European Championships, which is being expanded from 16 teams to 24 from 2016. Scotland and Wales would struggle to provide that number of stadiums to satisfy Uefa requirements but Ireland’s involvement would cover the shortfall.

The formal declaration of interest does not commit the Celtic countries to proceeding with a bid – a decision is not due to be taken by Uefa for 18 months.

The countries have not fared well in the past in bidding for the tournament. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland bid jointly for Euro 2008 but were one of the first to be eliminated, and Scotland and Wales considered bidding jointly for Euro 2016 but decided against it.

Uefa doubt about Turkey’s host Euro 2020

Turkey’s bid is in some disarray already because their FA has been engulfed by allegations of corruption and match-fixing in Turkish football, and it also conflicts with Istanbul’s bid to land the Olympics in the same year. The Uefa president, Michel Platini, had signalled he would support Turkey bid but only if Istanbul fails to secure the Olympics.

The Scottish Football Association chief executive, Stewart Regan, said the idea of bidding for Euro 2020 had been discussed but would not confirm or deny whether an expression of interest had been made.

“I’m not able to comment publicly at this stage because it has not gone to our board but there will be an exchange of correspondence before the deadline,” he said. “It’s obviously something that has been discussed.”

Asked if Scotland and Wales would be able to meet the Uefa criteria for stadiums, Regan replied: “There are other ways of skinning a cat and alternative ways of being considered for a major tournament.”